Mitchell Moses and Jarome Luai given massive Blues hint ahead of Origin selection

New South Wales assistant coach John Cartwright has hinted Mitchell Moses could be given the halfback role for the Blues this year, with Jarome Luai at five-eighth, in a massive call for Origin. Moses has not played in the NRL since round three this year after fracturing a bone in his foot.

The halfback would have been firm favourite to replace Nathan Cleary - out due to a hamstring injury - but will only have one game to impress new coach Michael Maguire before he selects the team to take on the Maroons in State of Origin. This week, reports suggested Moses was hardly ready to return for Magic Round with the 25-year-old still training in joggers.

However, in the biggest hint yet that Moses is favoured to keep his No.7 jersey for the Blues, assistant Blues coach Cartwright gave his thoughts on who could play the role in Game I. While Matt Burton has emerged as a favourite for some NRL fans to take the five-eighth role, Cartwright admitted it was most likely between Nicho Hynes, Luai and Moses to make-up the halves combination.

“It looks that way,” Cartwright said to SEN Radio of the race for Blues selection. "Moses, I don’t know if he’s back this week… I know if he doesn’t this week he’ll definitely play the following week, I think he’s just got to get through the game. He did a good job for them last year in the final game.

“Then I suppose it comes down to Jarome Luai or Nicho Hynes to partner him there.” Luai recently admitted his desire to get back into the Blues jersey to show what he could do. And Cartwright has admitted after Hynes' latest calf injury he could be the favourite.

“Hynes has been in great form all year, Jarome’s sort of starting to get somewhere near his best,” Cartwright added of the favourite. “It probably would’ve been an advantage for him (Luai) if Nathan (Cleary) was available to keep that sort of combination together.

"I dare say it’ll come down to two of those three." Cartwright admitted it was too early to select the halves combination with injuries making it very difficult. Many feel Hynes is favourite for the halfback role, considering his form in 2024. However, it appears Hynes could be in a battle against Panthers playmaker Luai for the remaining halves position.

Michael Maguire favours Mitchell Moses

On Wednesday night, speaking NRL 360, reporter James Hooper claimed Maguire was a big fan of Moses and the Eels playmaker might get selected even if he doesn't return to club footy before Origin. "I've heard he likes Mitchell Moses to be in the side even if he doesn't come back and get a game," Hooper said.

Braith Anasta was left gobsmacked at Hooper's claim and argued Maguire would be taking a gamble with Moses due to his injury. The former Roosters five-eighth claimed it "normally takes a few weeks" to comeback from Moses' foot injury and get back to your best.

Maguire will select the Blues team after round 12. He also has a major selection decision at fullback on whether to retain captain James Tedesco in the No.1 jersey or give in-form Panthers star Dylan Edwards a go.